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Freedom is a two-way street

Back when Rome was airing in North America, I came across a comment on the Internet. The young man had just seen the first series' last episode, and declared a desire to punch the actor who played Brutus. The same chap had earlier threatened violence against George R.R. Martin, for killing off a favourite character in Martin's Song of Fire and Ice series of novels. If this case ever came to court, would a jury view this as incitement to violence, even terrorism, or simply a way of blowing off steam.

The answer should be obvious, but recent events suggest otherwise. While a young Canadian would deservedly get the benefit of the doubt, this benefit would apparently not extend to those protesting a (to them) serious offence to their Islamic faith.

Having initially adopted a softly-softly approach, politicians and police are now talking about charging those who carried placards threatening or glorifying violence. Admittedly many of the placards were thoroughly offensive, but this is just as much an over-reaction as the more extreme protests themselves. Freedom of speech includes the freedom to make statements that are foolish, over the top, and, yes, offensive to others.

Incitement to violence is a crime, and there are circumstances in which people can validly be prosecuted for it. Waving a hyperbolic placard isn't one of them.

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